S.O.S. Titanic

Barry O’Neill is journeying to New York on the Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage. He’s homesick and worried about the Flynn boys traveling in steerage who have threatened to throw him overboard. Little does Barry know that a struggle with the Flynns is the least of the dangers that await him. This suspenseful young adult adventure story is based/i>

Overview

Barry O’Neill is journeying to New York on the Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage. He’s homesick and worried about the Flynn boys traveling in steerage who have threatened to throw him overboard. Little does Barry know that a struggle with the Flynns is the least of the dangers that await him. This suspenseful young adult adventure story is based on the true and terrible events that occured as the Titanic sank.

Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen

In his introduction, Dr. Darling defines science as observation, hypothesis and experimentation, and encourages children to ask lots of questions. Each experiment's step-by-step instructions run parallel to practical examples and an explanation of the phenomenon under investigation. The book is illustrated with drawings and full-color, stock photographs.1991, Dillon, Ages 10 up, $13.95. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin

The ALAN Review - Nancy E. Zuwiyya

Bunting combines historical accounts of the sinking of the Titanic with the story of a fifteen-year-old Irish boy leaving home and grandparents to join his parents in America. It is April, 1912, and Barry O'Neill has mixed feelings about his departure from Ireland, especially when he learns that local ruffians with a grudge against his family are sailing in the steerage. Bunting weaves together the stories of Barry's girlfriend in the steerage, first-class companions, and inexorably the story of the tragic sinking of the Titanic. Careful attention to historical detail adds interest to this fast-paced novel, but the emphasis is definitely on narrative as the suspense builds. Bunting tells the story well, but her ability to set the scene, both in the beginning and at the end, when she describes the death of the ship itself, carries this fine novel beyond mere narrative into an unforgettable scene of death and survival. Harcourt Brace & Company,

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9Readers fascinated by the lore surrounding the sinking of the Titanic will likely enjoy this exciting, suspenseful, and romantic version of the tragedy. Fifteen-year-old Barry, a privileged, upper-class Irishman raised by his grandparents while his parents were off in China, is bound for America to join them at last. Class conflict comes aboard, too, in the form of Frank and Jonnie Flynn, who blame Barry's grandfather for their forced departure from Ireland via steerage. Frank's threats of revenge add a layer of fear to Barry's on-again, off-again relationship with their sister, Pegeen, as the plot steams steadily toward its inevitably icy climax. The final hundred pages of the book describe post-collision confusion that escalates toward chaos, including Barry's gallant attempt (in vain) to save Frank's life. He does succeed in saving Pegeen, and the two of them end up on the overturned inflatable life raft and are among those few rescued the next morning by the Carpathia. Lots of foreshadowing and hints of the supernatural (Watley, Barry's first-class steward, was born in a caul, which is said to have given him second sight) add interest, as does an interesting range of supporting characters.Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Jr. High School, Iowa City, IA

Debbie Carton

Fifteen-year-old Barry O'Neill is traveling from Ireland to New York on the "Titanic". He is heartsick about leaving the beloved grandparents who raised him for the last 10 years and apprehensive about rejoining his parents, who have been in China. He's also worried about the Flynn brothers, arch enemies traveling in steerage who have threatened to throw him overboard. Foreshadowing of impending disaster winds through the early narrative: a psychic steward tells Barry of visions, and a superstitious passenger counts and re-counts the lifeboats. What sets this tale apart from other recent novels about the disaster (for example, "Titanic Crossing" ) is Barry's growing awareness of the injustice of the class system that ultimately doomed most of the steerage passengers. With so many characters, most are reduced to a few identifying quirks, but Bunting accurately and dramatically describes the ship's sinking and, at the same time, immerses readers in the many human tragedies. Perfect for middle school, this fast-paced story will satisfy readers looking for the human element in the "Titanic"'s history.

"Readers fascinated by the lore surrounding the sinking of the Titanic will likely enjoy this exciting, suspenseful, and romantic version of the tragedy."—School Library Journal

"Bunting accurately and dramatically describes the ship's sinking and, at the same time, immerses readers in the many human tragedies. . . . this fast-paced story will satisfy readers looking for the human element in the Titanic's history."—Booklist

What People are Saying About This

"Readers fascinated by the lore surrounding the sinking of the Titanic will likely enjoy this exciting, suspenseful, and romantic version of the tragedy."—School Library Journal

"Bunting accurately and dramatically describes the ship's sinking and, at the same time, immerses readers in the many human tragedies. . . . this fast-paced story will satisfy readers looking for the human element in the Titanic's history."—Booklist

Meet the Author

EVE BUNTING has written over two hundred books for children, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall, Fly Away Home, and Train to Somewhere. She lives in Southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Why is everyone saying its about rose and jack? Um thats just the movie. This is about completely different people.....the boy being barry from ireland.............so actually read the book before you put how great it is because you just watched the movie and want people to think you can actually read.........sheesh. get a clue.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

The book SOS Titanic is about a boy named Barry O¿Neill who went on the Titanic from Ireland to the U.S. to meet his parents. One night the boat hit a very large iceberg and began to sink with a large gash in her side. Barry faced this great danger during his voyage on the Titanic. But will he and the great Titanic make it? What I loved about SOS Titanic is that it had a great plot and you weren¿t confused in any parts of the book. I would have liked the book even more if it switched between Barry and Peegen, his newly found friend because Peegen had more of an interesting background. I don¿t normally like books about boys but I loved SOS Titanic because of its suspense and adventurous story. I wish the author put more detail, or even mentioned, about 2nd class travelers because it would be interesting to know about all the classes and all of the traveling conditions. I also wish the author used more real facts in the book so you would learn more about the real Titanic and its tragedy. I rate SOS Titanic four stars out of five because it could definitely use the improvements mentioned above, but it was a fantastic read. I recommend this book to people who love adventure and suspense.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I loved this book!

Anonymous

10 days ago

It was so understanding and suspenseful epically when it sank.
BEST TITANIC BOOK EVER!!

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More than 1 year ago

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More than 1 year ago

I absolutely love the part when Water says that there will be great danger on the boat. I was at the edge of my seat!! This book is soooo good! Love it. Whoever is reading this and you do not have this book GET IT

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I read it in 3,4,5 grade loved it!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I read this book in 1st grade,agian in 4th,5th and now in 6th grade! LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Great book!!!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Great

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Th main character of the story was a 15 year old boy named Barry. He was brave as the ship was sinking, trying to save people who wer his worst ememies back in Ireland. The boat didnt startsinking until the very end of the story which was little dissapointing but still ok. Few grammatical errrors. Im 11 and read this book as n assignment given over summer vacation and I actually enjoyed it. The one thing i disliked though was that the story was all too predicatable. Obviouslly evehryome reading this book knows that the Titanic sinks but there was nothing the author ciukd do about thay. Also a little more background knowledge of the charavters wouldve been nice. Overall a great atory that I recommened.

MrsG_Tutoring

More than 1 year ago

The book might be good, but how would I know? I still haven't received my book! If the item is shipped standard USPS from western WA to eastern WA it should only take a max of 5 days (even in the busiest season). I am now at 12 days from order date. My tutoring schedule is completely off. BOO! to BN and Break Time Books. You've lost my business for good.

m_kvanli

More than 1 year ago

I was absolutely engrossed by the story of the Titanic in my teens. I had several Titanic teen novels during that time, and while this one wasn't necessarily my favorite, it is still a great book for younger kids to read and learn about the Titanic. It is very appropriate for the age group that is recommended, and contains a very captivating storyline that I believe is attractive for boys and girls.

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More than 1 year ago

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Cougar_H

More than 1 year ago

After reading this book it became a favorite. I choose to share how the
book spoke to me as a person.
It made me put myself in the shoes of someone that was on that ship the
night it made history.
Wondering if I was going to die and what would happen to the ones I
loved. In the book it said
that a little group of men where playing music, trying to convince
people that everything was going to be
"OK", in what world would people think that a little music in the
mixture of screaming and crying would
make them calm down, almost if they where trying to hide the problem
when it was obvious to
everyone what was going on. The reason why I love this story so much is
because it so romantic but at
the same time lots of drama. This story inspired me to never give up on
the ones you love. Rose (one of
the main characters) could have gone into one of the little boats
saving her life but she didn't she wasn't
going to leave the one she loved and it got me to think that I would do
the same. Something that
questioned me was how many
people out there would give up the gift of surviving to stay and help
someone you loved. A message I think
that is in this book is that everything happens for a reason. Rose came
onto the ship miserable almost
killing herself but Jack saved her life by telling her no. By them
meeting it got her to realise that she didn't
really love the man she was about to marry it was Jack. There was a
reason for them meeting, for falling
in love. The book also shows how having faith really played well in
this story, When Rose and Jack
where in the ocean freezing to death all Jack was worried about was
making sure that Rose didn't think
she would die not even caring about himself only her. Believing that
something will happen and that
things will get better makes it a better chance of actually becoming
reality. Again this book is incredible
not a everyday story.

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More than 1 year ago

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More than 1 year ago

I love the thrilling suspense of the end of the book. It will keep you on your toes throughout the whole story.I would recommend this book to people who love suspense.